Really pleased to get this over the line and have the team in place for next season. It’s clear that Craig, Duncan and Simon had a big impact when they came onboard and this gives us some continuity going into next season. They have a great understanding as to what we are trying to achieve as a club and having them on board will enable us to continue moving forward in all directions. Very excited to see how the 1st team develops moving into next year.
I am delighted to return to Downham Town FC, a club that has meant a great deal to me since my early years. Although my time away was short, the opportunity to come back—even initially on a short-term basis—was one I could not turn down, despite the challenges of balancing football management with a young family.
With Charlotte’s full support, I am excited to take on this role once again and focus on the task ahead. Following the disappointment of relegation from Step 4 football, our aim is clear: to restore pride, stability, and a winning mentality at the club.
I am looking forward to working with the players, staff, and supporters as we begin this next chapter together.
Anyone who knows me will know how much I care about this club and how grateful I am to be coaching here. Next season and the years to come are promising for the club and I feel the 3 of us, with the affiliation we have around here, will be best placed to make this club a place to be proud of.
Thanks to the Red Army and my football family.
With the season coming to an end it was an absolute pleasure to manage the U15s team for the last 4 games of what seemed to be a tough season.
With only a few points on the board when I started and only 15mins to talk to the team before the first game along with finding out we were playing the top two teams in the league, three of the four games was going to be a challenge!
Straight from the first whistle I could not understand why they were in the position they were. They could all play football and understand the game. With a bit of encouragement they really started to believe in themselves! Narrowly missing out by a late goal in my first game after fighting back from 2 down gave them some confidence. Which they took into the next game against top of the league. They thought they were coming for a walkover, but were met by a team with a new found confidence. The opponents left the Memorial Ground with a win after another late goal after coming back from a goal down but Downham left with a new found belief.
With the squad now realising they do have what it takes we went in to the big one! My old team! Every single player was raring to go against their school mates. We had worked on a few things in the few training sessions we had. Every last player giving everything from the first whistle to the end. Great result and one I’ll remember! The confidence these players now had was an unbelievable transformation from when I’d started. This all came from the hard work every single one of them had put in on the training ground and on the pitch?
With a real understanding on how their teammates now played and had been asked to play we went into the last game. Sooo close with another closely fought loss against top of the league who needed to win to win the league.
Every single one of those players gave everything for those games and showed real determination, skill and belief in each of their teammates. They should go in to the new season with a newly resurrected ability they always had. I wish them all the best going into the next season I think they will have no problems at all and should go and enjoy playing with their heads high knowing they are a great Squad.
Good luck going into the next season!
Downham Town U10 Reds can look back on the 25/26 season with an immense amount of pride.
Whilst we cannot talk about number of wins and losses – we can focus on how well the team have played, fought and developed together in their second season as a 7 a side team.
They matched attractive attacking football with resolute and organized defending enhancing their reputation as one of the best sides around in their age group. The league form was excellent throughout the season – playing some tough games against strong opponents in the top league within the u10 MNYL grouping, Consistent performances in the league were matched with a brilliant cup run where they progressed to the final and got to take part in finals day – a tremendous experience for all of those involved.
In addition to their abilities on the pitch – their level of sporting behaviour was second to none – always playing hard but fair and being respectful off opponents and officials alike.
Overall as a group – they are a joy to coach – always happy to listen, learn and take on new instructions – adapting to different formations as the season wore on.
On behalf of the 3 coaches involved, we would like to show our appreciation to the team and the parents for their support and dedication for the season. We are excited about next season as we move to 9 a side football in the u12 category and to see what the team can achieve.
Well done u10 Reds – an outstanding season for all.
The 2025/26 season has been a fantastic journey for our Under 10s Blue squad. Throughout the year, the players demonstrated tremendous enthusiasm, commitment, and development both individually and as a team. While results are always part of football, our primary focus remained on learning, enjoyment, teamwork, and building confidence—and the players embraced these values every week.
The progress made by the entire squad has been outstanding. Players have grown in confidence on the ball, shown greater awareness of teammates, and become more resilient when facing challenges during matches.
A huge thank you goes to all parents, guardians, volunteers, and supporters who gave their time and encouragement throughout the season. Your support creates a positive environment where the children can learn, develop, and enjoy their football.
Player’s player – Owen Hamilton
Parents Player – Rhys Adogwa
Coaches player – Henry Brown
Team sponsor Hyperion Security Specialists
Downham Town FC U13’s Blues season summary
Football matches are defined by single moments. Downham town were promoted having finished 6th the season before which meant this season was always going to be an uphill challenge. It would have been easy to allow that moment to define our season but it didn’t.
From the start the team showed a fire and determination that always meant we were never out of games and very rarely did players heads drop.
Granted there were some tough beats along the way but Downham had this tenacity where they could be 4-1 down at half time and then draw the second half 0-0. Now that is the sign of team spirit.
It took till November to get our sole win of the season with a 4-3 win over Heigham Park as Sonny came off the bench to force an equaliser and then Nancy smashed home the ball for the winner.
This season seemed to be about fine margins and the rub of the green certainly didn’t always go our way. But with no gripes, moans or bad attitudes Downham embraced a determination to get back off the canvass time and time again.
The team isn’t one of Galacticos or egos, it is filled with a great bunch of kids that are taught to play the game the right way and fight hard for each other.
The growth in this team has been incredible. That’s where the real victory and defining moment has come this season. Steve, Liam and Stu have worked so hard to get the best out of their team and as the season went on and roles became defined it was clear that the future of the team was on a upward trajectory.
Parents Player and Coaches player was awarded to Harry Beasley who has been a rock at the back all season and has really settled into the role, giving strikers a horrid time all year. Jack Batterham also deserves a mention for gaining players player, what a great achievement to be recognised by his team mates.
So looking back on this season it is hard not to be proud of a team that gave their all and achieved so much, that had little to do with league position.
Next season will be one of hope, not hope for more points but a hope that this great bunch of kids continue to play football in the spirit it was intended, with a smile on their faces and as the superb team they have become.
We would also like to take the opportunity to thank our sponsors…
Kings and Barnhams Group
MD Installations LTD
Salon@
Diamond House Care Home
Enjoy Café
DTFC Under 8 Blues
This season has seen these boys progress and get stronger as the season went on whilst producing some very very good performances both as a team and individually!
They always give 110% and their heads never go down, a real testament to their willingness to learn and get better!
Onwards to Under 9s next season where I hope we can push on even further! 💪🏼🫶🏼⚽️💙
Last night was the 1st of the clubs end of season presentation nights to celebrate the achievements of the players and to thank our numerous sponsors and our fans who have supported the club throughout the season, our thanks go to our main sponsors SCL Interiors, Adrian Flux, Fraser Dawbarns Solicitor, Evolution BS and Charmed Interiors along with our club partners Carters Haulage, Morris Armitage, Glover Group, Holden Group and Forbes Technologies and a number of businesses from the Downham Market area
Although the season ended in relegation for the 1st team back to step 5 football the achievement of playing step 4 football for the 1st time in the clubs history needs to be celebrated and the club has ambitions to continue to develop and grow with the aim of getting promoted back to step 4 and being able to sustain the team at that level.
We also celebrate our first season back in the Thurlow Nunn under 18s and although it was a difficult start we are seeing good signs for the development of our youth players and the opportunity for some to step up to 1st team football. Ourthanks go to Mel Jupp of Forbes who sponsored the u18s kit for the season
The awards for last were
1st team
manager’s Players Nathan Davies,
Players player Charlie Royle,
Supporters Player Charlie Royle,
John Fysh Trophy Eoin McQuaid
Under 18s
Players player Donovan Douglas-Rule
Supporters player Ashton Thorrold
Managers player Beau Loram
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